Saving the mangrove ecosystem in Johor

Students from schools in Kota Tinggi are some of the volunteers involved in protecting the mangrove ecosystem in Pulau Tanjung Surat.

JOHOR BARU: Some 250 volunteers planted 1,020 mangrove saplings in Pulau Tanjung Surat to raise awareness of the mangrove ecosystem and its contribution to the local socio-economy.

The event was organised by the Global Environmental Centre (GEC) in collaboration with Saudi Aramco, Johor State Forestry Department, Limbongan Maju Sdn Bhd and Pengerang Local Authority, in conjunction with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Among the highlights of the event was the launch of a group called Friends of Tanjung Surat Mangrove Forest (FTSMF) that would act as the eyes and ears of local government in addressing issues related to mangrove conservation.

Johor State Forest Department director Jefri Abdul Rashid said the event and FTSMF is part of the Aramco-GEC community-based Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood programme.

“FTSMF is a social and environmental initiative by GEC and Saudi Aramco to empower the local community to be actively involved in the rehabilitation and conservation of mangrove forest here.

“It is the first community-based organisation to be established in Johor to assist efforts in undertaking the role of rehabilitation and conservation of mangroves in Pulau Tanjung Surat,” he said.

He added that FTSMF consists of four local villages around the area, namely Kampung Nyor, Kampung Tanjung Surat, Kampung Linting and Kampung Belungkor.

Meanwhile, GEC director

Faizal Parish said effective community involvement and local ownership of project are two important factors in making a sustainable impact.

“Support from the Johor State Forestry Department and Saudi Aramco has enabled us to build community awareness of the importance of protecting the mangrove.

“When the community understands how mangroves protect their coastal homes and improve their livelihood, they will be empowered to spearhead their own conservation efforts in the long run,” he said.

He added that the project would be used as a model to demonstrate an effective and sustainable approach in mangrove rehabilitation and conservation for the future. — By VENESA DEVI